Measuring tape with transverse locating aperture

ABSTRACT

A measuring tape device may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly defining an axis, a blade having a first end configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, and a transverse aperture extending through the housing in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. application No. 62/651,318filed Apr. 2, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments generally relate to measuring tape devices, andparticularly relate to a measuring tape that has a transverse locatingaperture.

BACKGROUND

Measuring tapes have been around for a very long time, and are commonmeasuring tools used in numerous contexts to obtain linear measurements.Measuring tapes can come in many forms and may be made of cloth, fiberglass, metal, plastic, or the like. The materials used are oftendictated by the specific measuring application. For example, tailors anddressmakers typically use a flexible tape that can be easily manipulatedbetween two hands to measure a distance therebetween. However, forconstruction or carpentry applications, a stiff and often metallic tapeis preferred to allow the measuring tape to be extended between an afirst location at which one end of the tape is anchored, and thelocation of the user at whose location the measuring tape is paid outfrom a reel assembly. The reel assembly may have a manual retractingmechanism or a self-retracting mechanism, typically depending upon thelength of the measuring tape. For relatively short measuring tapes(e.g., 12 ft or 25 ft), self-retracting mechanisms are very common. Forvery long measuring tapes (e.g., larger than 100 ft), a manualretracting mechanism is typically employed.

For nearly a century, metallic tape ribbons with a curved and relativelystiff construction have been preferred for use in self-retractingmeasuring tapes. The metallic tape ribbon tends to be flexible enough topermit the metallic tape ribbon to be wound onto a spring loaded reelassembly, but stiff enough to have a relatively long standout. Byemploying an end hook at one end of the tape, the user may takeadvantage of the standout to pay out the measuring tape toward an anchorpoint on a media that is to be measured and then conduct the measurementwithout having to physically move to the anchor point to affix the endhook and then move away to make the measurement.

However, the rigidity or stiffness of the tape, which contributes to thestandout capability, might create other potential uses for the measuringtape device if not for the rigidly enclosed housing that is commonlyemployed. Thus, having a measuring tape device with a more flexible anduseful structure, can be very attractive to consumers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

Some example embodiments may enable the provision of a measuring tapethat has a transverse locating aperture. The operator may be enabled toconfigure the measuring tape for a number of different particularpurposes for which the operator intends to use the measuring tape, whichare not otherwise possible with a conventional measuring tape. Thisconfigurability may improve the user experience associated with use ofthe measuring tape.

In an example embodiment, a measuring tape device is provided. Themeasuring tape device may include a housing having an aperture, a reelassembly defining an axis, a blade having a first end configured toextend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configuredto be wound on the reel assembly, and a transverse aperture extendingthrough the housing in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a measuring tape device inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the measuring tape device inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates the measuring tape device pivotally secured to asurface to enable marking of an arc in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates the measuring tape device being stored by hanging onthe surface in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3C illustrates the measuring tape device being used in astraight-edge mode in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view taken through an axis of atransverse aperture in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 5A illustrates a back view of the measuring tape device to show alanyard slot in accordance with an example embodiment; and

FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom view of the measuring tape device to showanother lanyard slot in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allexample embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described andpictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to thescope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather,these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” isto be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true wheneverone or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable couplingshould be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, ineither case, enables functional interconnection of components that areoperably coupled to each other.

As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provisionof a measuring tape device that may have an improved configuration byincluding a transverse locating hole. This is accomplished by enablingthe providing a transverse hole or aperture through the housing of themeasuring tape device at a particular location on the housing to enablethe measuring tape device to be configurable to various differentconfigurations instead of merely providing a single monolithicconfiguration. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a measuring tapedevice, and FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of such device, inaccordance with an example embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a measuring tape device 100 of anexample embodiment may include a housing 110 inside which a reelassembly 120 and a self-retraction assembly 130 may be provided. A blade140 (or tape) portion of the device 100 may be wound onto the reelassembly 120. The blade 140 may be paid out through an aperture 150formed in the housing 110. Although not required, in some cases, alocking assembly 160 may be provided to enable the reel assembly 120 tobe locked to prevent the self-retraction assembly 130 from retractingthe blade 140 when the locking assembly 160 is engaged.

The blade 140 has an end hook 170 disposed at one end thereof, and isaffixed to the reel assembly 120 at the other end of the blade 140. Theend hook 170 may be affixed (temporarily) to an anchor point on a mediumthat is to be measured. Once the end hook 170 is affixed to the anchorpoint, the blade 140 may be paid out of the aperture 150 and unwoundfrom the reel assembly 120. When a desired length of the blade 140 hasbeen paid out, the user can make any necessary markings, readings, etc.,associated with measuring scale markings that may be printed on theblade 140. The measuring scale markings generally measure length fromthe end hook 170 in one or more units, with divisions and subdivisionsof such units clearly marked on the blade 140.

By fixing the end hook 170 to the anchor point, the self-retractionassembly 130 (which may be spring loaded in some cases) may be preventedfrom retracting the paid out portions of the blade 140 into the housing110 (via the aperture 150). Similarly, when the locking assembly 160 isengaged, a force (e.g., a pinching force) may be placed on the blade 140to prevent retraction or motion of the reel assembly 120 may otherwisebe inhibited to prevent the self-retraction assembly 130 from retractingthe paid out portions of the blade 140. However, when the end hook 170is not anchored and the locking assembly 160 is not engaged, theself-retraction assembly 130 may cause the reel assembly 120 to wind theblade 140 back onto the reel assembly 120.

As mentioned above, for a typical measuring tape, when the blade 140 ispaid out through the aperture 150, the blade 140 will extend relativelystraight out the aperture 150 (although some sagging or droop may benoticed due to the weight of the blade 140 when longer lengths areextended). The blade 140 can be extended in a guided fashion toward anintended target anchor point while the blade 140 continues to havesufficient rigidity to standout. When the blade 140 has been extended toallow the end hook 170 to engage the anchor point, or when the operatormanually places the end hook 170 at the anchor point, the blade 140 canbe extended to perform any intended measurements so long as the end hook170 remains fixed at the anchor point. In some cases, the length (L) ofthe housing 110 may be a known distance. Moreover, in some cases, thelength (L) may be printed on the housing 110 so that the operator canback the housing 110 up against a surface and add the known length (L)to the distance aligned with the aperture 150 to get the total distancefrom the surface against which the housing 110 is backed and anothersurface or anchor point at which the end hook 170 is affixed orotherwise located proximate to. To facilitate the accuracy of measuringin this way, a heel portion 175 may be defined at a portion of thehousing 110 that is located substantially opposite relative to theaperture 150. The heel portion 175 may, together with one or more otherportions of the housing 110, form a structure that, when engaged with asurface that lies in a reference plane, aligns the housing 110 such thatthe blade 140 extends from the aperture 150 in a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the reference plane.

For a typical, flat piece of media that is being measured, the blade 140(which generally has a shallow U-shaped cross section) lays across themedia and the end hook 170 engages the anchor point such that the mediaand the anchor point are both below the blade 140 (or at least on thesame side of the blade 140). However, it is possible that measurementsmay be desirable in other orientations for the blade 140 and the endhook 170. To attempt to accommodate other orientations, the end hook 170could, for example, extend (or be extended) beyond the transverse edgesof the blade 140 to allow an anchor point disposed on one of the sidesof the blade 140 to be engaged. This may add some amount of flexibilityto the functioning of the end hook 170, but it may not suffice for othersituations. Moreover, the end hook 170 may additionally or alternativelybe provided with an ability to interface with other items (e.g., apencil or nail) to enable measurements and/or other useful tasks to beperformed in other contexts. In some cases, the nail or pencil maysimply be taped or held at or near the end hook 170. However, in somecases, an attachment (e.g., a transverse slot, clip, etc.) may beprovided to interface with the end hook 170 and also with the nail,pencil or other time. Thus, example embodiments may provide the abilityfor the operator to configure the end hook 170 to interface with afunctional device (e.g., an anchor or writing tool) that acts transverseor perpendicular to the direction of longitudinal extension of the blade140 so that the end hook 170 can be anchored or make markings at the endhook 170 location. This may allow marking or measuring on surfaces(e.g., walls, floors, ceilings, etc.) that are planar, and that have areference point on the plane from which (or to which) measuring isdesired. Instead of running the blade 140 over the surface such that theblade 140 is substantially parallel to the surface (or such that theapex of the cupped portion of the blade 140 is closest to the surface),the blade 140 may be run out over the surface such that the blade 140 issubstantially perpendicular to the surface (e.g., such that one wing ofthe blade 140 is adjacent to the surface and the other wing is distallylocated relative to the surface).

In accordance with some example embodiments, the ability to eitheranchor the end hook 170 or have a writing tool placed proximate to theend hook 170 may be even more useful if there is also an anchoring pointthat can be defined at a portion of the housing 110. However, formaximum utility, the anchoring point associated with the housing 110should also act substantially perpendicular to the direction oflongitudinal extension of the blade 140. Moreover, in some cases, theanchoring point may also be disposed a known distance from the aperture150 and in-line with the blade 140 as it extends from the aperture 150.Accordingly, a transverse aperture 180 may be disposed in the housing aknown distance (A) from the aperture 150 and pass through the housing110 in a direction that is parallel to the axis of the reel assembly 120on which the blade 140 is wound (i.e., the drum of the reel assembly120). However, the transverse aperture 180 may also be positioned inalignment with the blade 140 as the blade 140 is extended from theaperture 150. As such, a line 182 is collinear (and coplanar) with theblade 140 as the blade 140 extends through the aperture 150 and passesthrough an axis of the transverse aperture 180. This ensures that thedistance (A) is accurate since any other positioning could create amisalignment that would render any distance measurements inaccurate.

Of note, due to the positioning of the reel assembly 120 and the blade140 within the housing 110, the location of the transverse aperture 180proximate to a distal end of the housing 110 relative to the aperture150 (i.e., at the heel portion 175) may be advantageous since no otherlocation permits alignment of the transverse aperture 180 with the blade140 as the blade 140 extends from the housing 110 (via the aperture 150)while avoiding interference with other internal components of themeasuring tape device 100. Thus, the axis of the transverse aperture isalso coplanar with the blade 140, as the blade 140 is extended from theaperture 150. The placement of the transverse aperture 180 in the heelportion 175 may therefore enable a number of different configurations oruses, some of which are shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C.

In this regard, FIG. 3A illustrates a configuration in which the blade140 is extended from the housing while a marking device 190 is affixedto the blade 140 (or the end hook 170), and a nail 192 or otherfastener/anchoring device is passed through the transverse aperture 180to affix the housing 110 to a surface. The housing 110 is thereforepivotally attached to the nail 192 to rotate about the anchor pointdefined on the surface by the nail 192. The blade 140 extends from thehousing 110 (and can be locked at a particular length by the lockingassembly 160) so that the marking device 190 draws an arc 194 of a fixedlength relative to the anchor point on the surface. Of course, the arc194 could be extended to define an arc of any length, including defininga half circle or full circle on the surface. Additionally, multipleconcentric circles with different diameters can be easily drawn usingthe same anchor point, and extending the blade 140 to different desiredand precise lengths. This can be particularly useful for cutting plywoodor drywall to define arches, or for laying out curved designs forpatios, gardens, etc.

In FIG. 3B, the measuring tape device 100 is shown in a storageconfiguration. In this regard, for example, the nail 192 (or some otherfastener/anchoring device) may be passed through the transverse aperture180 and into the surface. The measuring tape device 100 can therefore bestored and displayed for improved organization and accessibility. Thehousing 110 may then be retained or suspended from the nail 192 untilremoved from engagement with the nail 192. In this or any otherconfiguration involving the nail 192, if the nail 192 has a head that iswider than the diameter of the transverse aperture 180, then the nail192 must be withdrawn from the surface to release the housing 110.However, if the nail 192 has a head that is narrower than the diameterof the transverse aperture 180, then the nail 192 need not be withdrawnfrom the surface in order for the housing 110 to be alternatelypivotally attached to the nail 192 and withdrawn from engagementtherewith.

FIG. 3C illustrates yet another possible configuration (among manypossible configurations) where measurements or markings may be madealong the surface. In this regard, for example, the nail 192 may beinserted through the transverse aperture 180 and into the surface.Thereafter, the blade 140 may be extended from the housing 110 toanother anchor point (e.g., nail 196) inserted into the surface at apoint some distance (i.e., a distance equal to A plus the amount ofblade 140 extended from the aperture 150) away from the nail 192 and thetransverse aperture 180. The blade 140 may extend along a straight linefrom the anchor point defined by the nail 192 to define the blade 140 asa straight edge. A level (either on the housing 110 or as a separatedevice) may be used to level the straight edge formed by the blade 140in some cases. However, regardless of whether leveling is desired, theblade 140 may extend along the surface such that various markings may bemade along the straight edge formed by the blade 140 at respectivedesired distances. In particular, the blade 140 could be extended tosignificant lengths by one individual (anchoring respective opposingends of the blade 140) and then individual measured points at anylocation along the blade 140 can be marked by the same individual.Alternatively or additionally, a straight line can be traced along thelength of the blade 140 in this mode.

In addition to providing a clear path through the housing to define aconvenient location for anchoring the housing 110 pivotally to a surfaceso that arcs can be drawn, the measuring tape device 100 can be stored,or the blade 140 can function as a straight edge along the surface, thestructure of the transverse aperture 180 may serve other utilitarianpurposes. For example, the structure used to form the transverseaperture 180 may actually clamp a first portion 200 and a second portion210 of the housing 110 together. In this regard, the housing 110 of someembodiments may be made from two half-shells that fit together. A firstsuch half-shell (e.g., the first portion 200) may fit together with thesecond half-shell (e.g., the second housing portion 210) to define thehousing 110 surrounding the reel assembly 120 and the self-retractionassembly 130. The first and second housing portions 200 and 210 may alsodefine the aperture 150 and an opening for the locking assembly 160,along with at least one of the first or second housing portions 200 or210 serving as an interface for a clip. In a conventional measuringtape, a number of screws may be passed through one of the first andsecond housing portions 200 and 210 into the other of the first andsecond housing portions 200 and 210 to affix them to each other anddefine the housing 110. However, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, one such screw (e.g., a screw that would otherwise have beenlocated at the heel portion 175) may be eliminated and replaced by thetransverse aperture 180.

FIG. 4 illustrates such a cross section of the heel portion 175 takenthrough an axis of the transverse aperture 180. As shown in the exampleof FIG. 4, the transverse aperture 180 may be defined by a first holepost 220 and a second hole post 230 that each extend inwardly fromrespective opposing portions of the first and second housings portions200 and 210. Moreover, the first hole post 220 may have a beveled outeredge 222 that engages the first housing portion 200, while the secondhole post 230 has a beveled outer edge 232 to engage the second housingportion 210. The ends of the first and second hole posts 220 and 230opposite the beveled outer edges 222 and 232, respectively, may joineach other to define the transverse aperture 180. As such, for example,the first and second hole posts 220 and 230 may be substantiallyidentical to each other and mirror each other about a joint definedbetween them (or at least about a plane that divides the measuring tapedevice 100 in half.

In an example embodiment, a sleeve 240 may be provided at the jointbetween the first and second hole posts 220 and 230 to hold the firstand second hole posts 220 and 230 together. Alternatively oradditionally, the joint can be held together by a mechanical press-fit,a threaded interface, a swaging or crimping approach, or the like.Moreover, in some cases, the first and second hole posts 220 and 230 maybe held to together (principally or secondarily) by a bonding agent oradhesive. Male and female connections or other such interfaces that arenot identical may also be used. Regardless of the mechanism used, thedrop impact performance of the measuring tape device 100 may beimproved, while at least one screw boss may be eliminated from thedesign.

The beveled outer edges 222 and 232 may be replaced by any flared,tapered or other design that provides an enlarged portion that can placea holding force on the first and second housing portions 200 and 210 inalternative embodiments. However, in these alternative designs as well,the structure of the transverse aperture 180 may be such that a clampingload is provided by the first and second hole posts 220 and 230.Accordingly, for example, the beveled outer edges 222 and 232 mayprovide a principal or reinforcing structural clamping load to helpsecure the first and second housing portions 200 and 210. In an exampleembodiment, the diameter of the interior portions of the first andsecond hole posts 220 and 230 may be large enough to accommodate anystandard nail (or screw) sizes. The diameter of the interior portions ofthe first and second hole posts 220 may also be large enough to allowstandard nail or screw heads to pass therethrough in some cases, but maybe too small to allow the heads to pass in other alternative designs. Inany case, however, the beveled outer edges 222 and 232 may have a widerdiameter than the diameter of the interior portions of the first andsecond hole posts 220 and 230.

In some example embodiments, the first and second hole posts 220 and 230and/or the sleeve 240, may also provide a useful structure forsupporting a lanyard (shown in dashed lines as element 245 in FIG. 5A).In this regard, the housing 110 may have a first lanyard slot 250defined in a rear wall of the housing 110 and a second lanyard slot 260formed in a bottom wall of the housing 110 as shown in FIG. 5A. Thelanyard 245 may be passed in the first lanyard slot 250 and out thesecond lanyard slot 260 (e.g., passing around the sleeve 240 of thetransverse aperture 180), which is shown in FIG. 5B. However, given theexistence of the transverse aperture 180 within the housing 110, someembodiments may only include one or the other of the first lanyard slot250 and the second lanyard slot 260 instead of including both. In such acase, the lanyard 245 may pass in and out of the same slot and besecured around the sleeve 240 of the transverse aperture 180.

Accordingly, as can be appreciated from the description provided above,the heel portion 145 of the measuring tape device 100, which mayotherwise essentially be wasted space, can be used to great benefit byemploying the transverse aperture 180 of example embodiments. Theresulting measuring tape device 100 may have improved functionality, aswell as efficient use of space, and improved case/housing clamping load.

In an example embodiment, a measuring tape device is provided. Themeasuring tape device may include a housing having an aperture, a reelassembly defining an axis, a blade having a first end configured toextend from the housing through the aperture and a second end configuredto be wound on the reel assembly, and a transverse aperture extendingthrough the housing in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.

In some embodiments, the features of the device described above may beaugmented or modified, or additional features may be added. Theseaugmentations, modifications and additions may be optional and may beprovided in any combination. Thus, although some example modifications,augmentations and additions are listed below, it should be appreciatedthat any of the modifications, augmentations and additions could beimplemented individually or in combination with one or more, or even allof the other modifications, augmentations and additions that are listed.As such, for example, the transverse aperture may be disposed at a heelportion of the housing. In an example embodiment, an axis of thetransverse aperture may be substantially coplanar with a portion of theblade that is extended from the aperture of the housing. In some cases,the transverse aperture may be configured to receive a fastener thatpasses through the transverse aperture to pivotally secure the device toa surface into which the fastener is secured. In an example embodiment,responsive to securing the device to the surface via the fastener, theblade may be extendable and configured to receive a marking device at apredetermined portion thereof to define an arc with the marking deviceby pivoting the device about the fastener. In some cases, the markingdevice may be configured to be secured proximate to an end hook disposedat the first end of the blade. In an example embodiment, responsive tosecuring the device to the surface via the fastener, the blade may beextendable and an end hook disposed at the first end of the blade may beconfigured to be secured to the surface to hold the device proximate tothe surface with the blade extended along the surface such that anoperator can make markings along the blade without holding any portionof the device. In some cases, a diameter of the transverse aperture maybe configured to be larger than a diameter of the fastener and a head ofthe fastener such that the device may be alternately capable of hangingon the fastener and being removed therefrom. In an example embodiment, adiameter of the transverse aperture may be configured to be larger thana diameter of the fastener and smaller than a diameter of a head of thefastener. In some cases, the housing may include a first housing portionand a second housing portion, and the transverse aperture may beconfigured to provide a clamping load to secure the first housingportion to the second housing portion at the heel portion. In an exampleembodiment, the transverse aperture may include a first beveled outeredge configured to engage the first housing portion and a second beveledouter edge configured to engage the second housing portion to apply theclamping load. In some cases, the transverse aperture may include afirst hole post and a second hole post that meet at a joint. The firstbeveled outer edge may be disposed on the first hole post at an endthereof that is opposite the joint, and the second beveled outer edgemay be disposed on the second hole post at an end thereof that isopposite the joint. In an example embodiment, a sleeve may be disposedaround the joint to facilitate holding the first and second hole poststogether. In some cases, the housing may include at least one slotdisposed in the heel portion to enable a lanyard to be passed throughthe slot to be secured to the sleeve. In an example embodiment, thejoint may include a mechanical press fit, a threaded interface, a swagedinterface or a crimped interface. In some cases, the first hole post mayinclude a male portion at an end thereof that is opposite the firstbeveled outer edge, and the second hole post may include a femaleportion at an end thereof that is opposite the second beveled outeredge. In an example embodiment, the first hole post and the second holepost may be joined together at the joint via a bonding agent oradhesive. In some cases, the housing may include a first slot disposedin the heel portion extending parallel to the axis to enable a lanyardto be passed through the first slot to engage the transverse aperture.In an example embodiment, the housing may include a second slot disposedat the heel portion extending parallel to the axis and to the first slotto receive the lanyard. In some cases, the first slot may be disposed ata back wall of the heel portion and the second slot may be disposed at abottom wall of the heel portion.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certainexemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scopeof the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions toproblems are described herein, it should be appreciated that suchadvantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some exampleembodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, anyadvantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thoughtof as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or tothat which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employedherein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purposes of limitation.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A measuring tape device comprising: a housinghaving a blade aperture; a reel assembly defining an axis; a bladehaving a first end configured to extend from the housing through theblade aperture and a second end configured to be wound on the reelassembly; and a transverse aperture disposed in a heel portion of thehousing and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis;wherein the transverse aperture comprises an externally accessible openpassageway through the housing.
 22. The measuring tape device of claim21, wherein the first end of the blade, the blade aperture, and an axisof the transverse aperture are substantially coplanar to facilitatetaking linear measurements from the transverse aperture to the first endof the blade.
 23. The measuring tape device of claim 21, wherein thetransverse aperture is configured to receive a fastener that passesthrough the transverse aperture to pivotally secure the measuring tapedevice to a surface into which the fastener is secured.
 24. Themeasuring tape device of claim 23, wherein a diameter of the transverseaperture is configured to be larger than a diameter of the fastener anda head of the fastener such that the device is alternately capable ofhanging on the fastener and being removed therefrom.
 25. The measuringtape device of claim 23, wherein a diameter of the transverse apertureis configured to be larger than a diameter of the fastener and smallerthan a diameter of a head of the fastener.
 26. The measuring tape deviceof claim 21, wherein an end hook is affixed to the first end of theblade and the end hook is configured to secure a marking device theretofor marking measurements.
 27. The measuring tape device of claim 21,wherein the housing comprises a first housing portion and a secondhousing portion.
 28. The measuring tape device of claim 27, wherein thetransverse aperture comprises a first hole post extending from the firsthousing portion and a second hole post extending from the second housingportion; wherein the first hole post and the second hole post meet at ajoint.
 29. The measuring tape device of claim 28, wherein a firstbeveled outer edge is disposed on the first hole post at an end thereofthat is opposite the joint, and wherein a second beveled outer edge isdisposed on the second hole post at an end thereof that is opposite thejoint.
 30. The measuring tape device of claim 28, wherein a sleeve isdisposed around the joint to facilitate holding the first and secondhole posts together.
 31. The measuring tape device of claim 28, whereinthe joint comprises a mechanical press fit, a threaded interface, aswaged interface, or a crimped interface.
 32. The measuring tape deviceof claim 28, wherein the first hole post and the second hole post arejoined together at the joint via a bonding agent or adhesive.
 33. Themeasuring tape device of claim 21, wherein the transverse aperture isdisposed, at least partially, within a post.
 34. The measuring tapedevice of claim 33, wherein the housing comprises at least one slotdisposed in the heel portion to enable a lanyard to be passed throughthe slot to be secured to the post.
 35. The measuring tape device ofclaim 21, wherein the housing comprises a slot disposed in the heelportion extending parallel to the axis to enable a lanyard to be passedthrough the slot to engage the transverse aperture.
 36. The measuringtape device of claim 35, wherein the slot is disposed at a back wall ofthe heel portion.
 37. The measuring tape device of claim 35, wherein theslot is disposed at a bottom wall of the heel portion.
 38. A measuringtape device comprising: a housing having an aperture; a reel assemblydefining an axis; a blade having a first end configured to extend fromthe housing through the aperture and a second end configured to be woundon the reel assembly; and a transverse aperture comprising an externallyaccessible open passageway through the housing from a first externalside of the housing to a second external side of the housing, the firstexternal side of the housing being opposite the second external side ofthe housing.
 39. The measuring tape of claim 38, wherein the first endof the blade, the blade aperture, and an axis of the transverse apertureare substantially coplanar to facilitate taking linear measurements fromthe transverse aperture to the first end of the blade.
 40. The measuringtape device of claim 39, wherein the transverse aperture is configuredto receive a fastener that passes through the transverse aperture tosecure the device to a surface into which the fastener is secured.